Observational Study of Neurology and Psychiatry Drug Trials in Humans
An observational study analyzed 18,609 neurology and psychiatry drug trials from ClinicalTrials.gov (2000-2023). Most trials were early phase, small, with 60% completed, and 36% industry-funded. Only 50% of trials completed post-2007 reported results. Common conditions studied included pain, schizophrenia, depression, and Alzheimer's.
- Tags
- #Other
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Limited
- Outcome
- Not reported
Why it matters
This study highlights trends in neurology and psychiatry trials, including funding sources and completion rates, which can inform future research design and focus.
What this does not prove
The findings are based on registry data, which may not fully reflect trial design and reporting, highlighting limitations of observational study methodologies.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Observational
- Participants / samples
- 18609 · included trials
- Randomised
- Yes
- Controlled
- Not applicable
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-07-28
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Other
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- Not reported
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
- Primary evidenceDesign, reporting, and research focus of neurology and psychiatry drug trials (2020-2023): a registry-based meta-epidemiological study using ClinicalTrials.gov and NLP. ↗DOI: 10.1186/s13063-026-09909-8
Supporting passages (15)
study phaseThis is a registry-based observational study of interventional neurology and psychiatry drug trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov between 2000 and 2023.
study designThis is a registry-based observational study of interventional neurology and psychiatry drug trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov between 2000 and 2023.
subjectsThis is a registry-based observational study of interventional neurology and psychiatry drug trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov between 2000 and 2023.
speciesThis is a registry-based observational study of interventional neurology and psychiatry drug trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov between 2000 and 2023.
sample sizeWe included 18,609 trials.
sample size basisWe included 18,609 trials.
randomizedTen percent of trials were non-randomized and 38% were open label.
controlledTen percent of trials were non-randomized and 38% were open label.
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
research categoriesThe aim of this study was to quantify trial design features, results reporting practices, and research focus in neurology and psychiatry drug trials using harmonized registry data.
publication datePublication date: 2026-07-28
interventionThe aim of this study was to quantify trial design features, results reporting practices, and research focus in neurology and psychiatry drug trials using harmonized registry data.
findingsContent-based clustering identified disease-specific groupings of trials.
limitationsConsequently, it is unclear how neurology and psychiatry drug trials are designed and reported in practice, hampering comparison of studies, understanding of the available evidence, and planning of future trials.
subjectsMeSH terms: Registries; Humans; Research Design; Natural Language Processing; Psychiatry; Neurology; Clinical Trials as Topic; Mental Disorders; Psychotropic Drugs
AI assessment, not yet reviewed by a person · version 2 · Community votes are separate from evidence review.